Southern California -- this just in

Autopsy set for baby's body found dumped in strawberry field

May 22, 2012 | 7:22
am

Investigators hope an autopsy scheduled Tuesday will reveal more information about a dead newborn baby found dumped in a Ventura County strawberry field.

The body was found about 9:30 a.m. Monday in the 3200 block of Central Avenue in an unincorporated area northwest of Camarillo, authorities said. Investigators are treating the case as a possible homicide but said no arrests have been made.

Farmworker Gabriel Ortiz, 43, told the Ventura County Star he found the body while checking a hose line near a row of poppies bordering the field. He told a supervisor, who called police.

The father of a 6-month-old daughter, Ortiz told the newspaper he was shaken by the discovery.

Detectives released few details about the body Monday, including the baby’s gender. Ortiz said he saw blood and placenta nearby.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Joe Evans at (805) 384-4721.